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Dallas, TX is a great place to live with plenty of dining, entertainment and work opportunities. But the weather can be unpredictable, and Texas is no stranger to sudden cold snaps. When temperatures drop fast, homes become vulnerable to frozen or burst pipes. If you have ever dealt with a frozen pipe, you know how stressful and expensive it can be. Thankfully, there are several effective steps you can take to protect your home before the next freeze arrives.
Let Faucets Drip
Running water is less likely to freeze. When temperatures drop below freezing, let your faucets drip slightly. This keeps water moving through the pipes and helps prevent pressure buildup that can lead to a burst pipe. It may seem like a small step, but it can save you thousands in potential water damage.
Keep Cabinet Doors Open
Cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms hide plumbing, but they also trap cold air around the pipes. During freezing weather, open the cabinet doors to allow warm air from your home to circulate around those pipes. If you have young children or pets, move any cleaners or chemicals out of reach before doing this.
Add Insulation to Exposed Pipes
Walk through your home to find exposed pipes, especially in garages, attics, crawl spaces and unheated areas. These pipes need extra insulation. Foam sleeves and fiberglass pipe wrap are simple to install and help hold heat around the plumbing. Insulation will not completely eliminate the risk of freezing, but it significantly reduces it.
Wrap Pipes With Heat Tape
Heat tape is one of the most reliable ways to protect pipes in high-risk areas. It delivers gentle, controlled warmth directly to the pipe. When shopping for heat tape, choose a self-regulating product that is approved for outdoor or damp locations. Using the wrong type can create electrical hazards or lead to overheating.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Outdoor hoses can trap water that freezes and expands. When this happens, it can damage the hose bib or crack exterior plumbing. Disconnect hoses before winter and store them indoors. Adding insulated faucet covers to your spigots gives extra protection and helps prevent freeze-related damage.
Add Extra Insulation to Attic and Crawl Spaces
Many Texas homes lack adequate insulation in the attic or crawl space. These areas can get cold enough to freeze any plumbing that runs through them. Adding insulation blankets or installing spray foam helps stabilize temperatures and protect the pipes. It can also improve your HVAC efficiency year-round.
Seal Doors and Windows to Prevent Drafts
Cold drafts from doors and windows can quickly bring down the indoor temperature around pipes. Seal gaps by applying weatherstripping, caulking and installing door sweeps. Keeping warm air inside helps prevent sudden temperature drops that put plumbing at risk.
Use Smart Thermostats
Cold fronts in Texas can arrive suddenly. Smart thermostats offer faster response times because they monitor indoor patterns and adjust the heat automatically. Most models also allow remote control from your smartphone, so you can raise the temperature at home even if you are away. This reduces the chances of the home cooling down too far during a freeze.
Keep the Garage Door Closed
If you have an attached garage, keep the door closed during cold weather. Cold air inside the garage can seep into nearby walls and affect any plumbing that runs through them. Keeping the door closed helps maintain a more stable indoor temperature.
Insulate the Water Heater
Water heater blankets help retain heat inside the tank and reduce energy loss. A warmer water heater reduces the risk of frozen plumbing connected to it and helps your system run more efficiently.
Add Heating Mats to Crawl Spaces
Some crawl spaces get extremely cold, even with insulation. Heating mats are designed to warm these areas and protect nearby plumbing. They are especially helpful for older homes or manufactured homes that sit over poorly insulated crawl spaces.
Be Smart With Landscaping
Landscaping can offer surprising protection against freezing air. Planting evergreen shrubs near exposed exterior walls can help block cold winds. Mulch adds an extra layer of insulation around areas where plumbing routes close to the foundation.
Install Backflow Preventers
Backflow preventers help protect your system from pressure issues. When pipes freeze, pressure can build up inside them. A backflow preventer can reduce the risk of damage when temperatures drop below freezing.
On Time Experts makes it simple to protect your plumbing during Texas freezes. We can inspect your home, identify vulnerable areas and recommend upgrades that offer the best protection. We also repair burst pipes, service water heaters and provide emergency plumbing assistance. Call On Time Experts today to schedule professional plumbing service in Dallas, TX.
